Long Term Bets

With the European Championship not even out of the way, and the World Cup groups barely drawn it seems incongruous to be looking forward to the World Cup in South Africa already, but anyone who knows sports betting - and football betting in particular - will know that it’s as much instinct as anything else, so a bet from a long way out might not be that bad an idea.

There are a few problems, however, with such long-term bets. Firstly, never bet on England. According to Blue Square we are currently third favourites for the tournament. Fine. But how did we manage that bearing in mind we barely beat Switzerland, whimpered against France (though showed moments) and didn’t manage to qualify for the European Championships. England’s odds are ridiculously inflated, and with good luck and a following win in the qualifying campaign will probably stay so.

So who are the favourites? Most could predict them without having a look at the latest odds - all the superpowers are there, Brazil (4/1), Argentina(6/1), Italy(9/1), France(14/1), Germany(10/1) and Spain(10/1).

Spain?!?

Yes, once again the Spanish have found themselves in a position that suggests that they might actually win the title. Now a quick look at the talent at the disposal of the Spanish manager suggests that this is doable on paper, but at what stage does the world wake up and realise that the Spanish don’t ever win anything? Of course on the other hand, the argument runs that how long can the Spanish consistently shoot themselves in the foot? Who knows, but I think this European Championships might just prove that this incarnation of Spanish footballing talent have got what it takes to go all the way.

Odds for football betting courtesy of Blue Square.